Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse banned from release in Saudi Arabia

It’s been confirmed that Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, the new sequel to 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse, has been banned in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia due to it failing censorship requirements.

UNILAD reports that Saudi Cinema (managed by the General Commission for Audiovisual Media) confirmed the ban, stating that the film will not be shown in cinemas.

“Out of our keenness on the safety of the content shown in cinemas, and our responsibility towards the viewers, we would like to point out that we will not permit or license any film that contradicts the content controls in force in the media system… and its implementing regulations, unless the production companies commit to implementing the required amendments,” a statement from the authority reads (via UNILAD).

Although it hasn’t been directly confirmed by authorities which part of the movie failed to pass censorship requirements, as UNILAD writes, some fans have been speculating that it could be due to the trans pride flag which can briefly be seen in Gwen Stacy’s room, above her door.

“I’m starting to think Across the Spider-Verse is banned here because of Gwen's ‘protect trans kids’ banner hanging in her room. Not the first time it has happened here because of supporting LGBTQ reasons, but usually it gets announced,” one tweeted. “Banning a movie over a flag that you see for five seconds is crazy,” wrote another. “People wondering why Pride Month is important, this is why. It's not just about pride in America, it's the world,” added another.

Last year, the Disney Pixar film Lightyear was banned in multiple countries (including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) due to a short scene which depicts a same-sex couple kissing. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was also banned in Saudi Arabia due to its inclusion of the lesbian superhero America Chavez.